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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

' S. R. BRIGGS.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 522,703. Patented July 10, 1894.

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S. R. BRIGGS FIRE ESCAPE.

N0. 522,703. Patented July 10., 1894.

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I I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL R. BRIGGS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE CHICAGO AUTOMATIC FIRE-ESCAPE AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 522,703, dated July 10, 1894.

Application filed December 17,1892. Renewed May 9. 1894. Serial No. 510,665. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

l 3e it known that I, SAMUEL R. BRIGGS, a cltlzen of the United States, residing at Chicago, 1n the county of Cook and State of Illinols, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, that will enable others to make and use the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Fignre 1 is a plan; Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal section on line 2, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow; Fig. 3, a vertlcal longitudinal section on line 3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a vertical longitudinal section on line 4, Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a similar view on line 5, Fig.

l; and Fig. 6, a broken-away vertical transversesection online 6, Fig. 3.

Th1s invention relates to improvements in that class of fire-escapes wherein the opera tion of thedevice is automatically controlled, and the descent made perfectly safe without any attention from the person descending.

The supporting frame consists of the sideplates A A, the transverse rods A and the intermediate frame-plate A The winding-drnm, B, is loosely mounted on the shaft B and has the rope B wound thereon, as shown in Fig. The shaft B extends only part way across, (Fig. 6,) the outer end being jonrnaled in the side frameplate A, and the inner end in the intermediate plate A The curved guard, 13, isproperly secured to the frame parts, (Fig. 2,) and extends part way around the drum, and serves the purpose of preventing the rope from being accidentally misplaced. The pinion a is rigidly mounted on the hub of the rope-drum, and engages with the gear-wheel, C, loosely mounted on the counter shaft C; the respectwe ends of which are provided with suitable hearings in the two side-pieces of the frame.

One end of the coiled spring C is secured to the frame, as at a, the opposite end being secured to the hub 8 of the gear-wheel C. Now as the rope is unwound by a descending welght, motion is transmitted to the gearwheel 0 by the engagingpinion on the drumhub, and the spring is wound up, so that the stored power thereof serves to rotate the drum, B, in the opposite direction when the weight is discharged, and automatically rewind the rope and return the sling, C for another person or load.

The gear-wheel D is loosely mounted on the shaft B, and located close to the ropedrnm on the opposite side from the pinion Ct. This side of the drum is provided with the annular chamber 0?, (Fig. 6.) into which projects the hub a of the gear-wheel, D, having teeth a (Fig. 4.) forming a ratchet-wheel. The companion pawls, a (indicated in dotted lines Fig. 4,) are pivoted to the drum and engage with said ratchet-teeth, so that the gear-wheel D, its shaft and connecting parts remain stationary while the rope is being rewonnd. The springs a serve to retain the pawls in an engaged position.

The gear-wheel D engages with the pinion b, rigidly mounted on the shaft 0. The gearwheel E is also rigidly mounted on the shaft 0, and in turn engages with the solid pinion F, having the stub-shafts b b formed integral. The axis of the pinion F is in the same plane with that of the rope-drum shaft.

It will be observed that the teeth of the pinion F (Fig. 6.) extend but about half way across the periphery, leaving the untoothed surface or hub part, 19 from which project two or more arms G, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. The outer ends of these arms are provided with the socket-parts b (Fig. 5.) in which are inserted the bent inner ends of the spring brake-levers H. The brake-shoes K are mounted on the outer ends of the brakearms, and are provided with recesses d in which are removably inserted the respective ends of the leather d.

The wearing surface of the brake-shoe may be of leather or any other suitable material, and when too much worn to be of any further use can be easily replaced by a new part, as provided for.

The intermediate plate or part, A, of the frame has the over-projecting brake-rim L (Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 6.) formed thereon; with the inner circumferential surface on which the brake-shoes are adapted to have frictional contact for the purpose of retarding and regulating'the action of the device.

The brake-shoes are held normally out of contact with the rim L by means of the adjusting screw-bolts d inserted through the threaded lugs 61 formed on the arms G and bearing against the spring brake-levers, as

The respective ends of the sling C are. (1e

tachably secured to the link g by snap-hooks g 9 as shown in Fig. 1. The link g carries the stop 71, and is connected to the end of the rope B The rope runs between the frictionrollers 72. k and the elastic cushion 72. on the rope receives the contact of the stop h and lessens the shock of the return movement so as to avoid injury to these parts. The sling will ordinarily consist of a wide band or strap to be passed around the body under the arms, but any other form of sling may be used, or a basket or chair seat.

The descent will be so governed and controlled by the centrifugal brake-mechanism that the speed will be about the same no matter What the Weight of the load may be.

The device will be secured in a stationary position convenient to a window or other place of egress, and all that is required is for the person to be secured in the sling and swung out; the rope being instantly rewound and the sling returned when the same is relieved of the load carried down.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fire escape, the winding drum loosely mounted on its shaft and having a pinion, the countershaft having a loose pinion engag ng the pinion of the drum, a retrieving spr ng connected to said loose pinion, a fast pinion .on the countershaft engaging a pinion on the main shaft, which pinion has ratchet and pawl connection to the winding drum, and a fast pinion on the countershaft engaging a gear carrying spring brake arms, said arms having frictional contact with a fixed rim on the frame, all combined substantially as described.

2. In a fire escape, the frame having side plates and an intermediate plate provided with a friction band, the main shaft and its winding drum, and the gear in line with the main shaft and having arms provided with friction brake levers bearing on said friction band, and the countershaft and its gears engaging the gears of the drum and of the brake arms repeatedly, and the spring acting to wind said gears in one direction, all combined substantially as described.

3. In a fire escape, the frame and shafts supported thereby, the winding drum on one of said shafts and the train of gears engaging said drum and the brake arms, said arms mounted on a shaft in line withthe drum shaft and carrying spring levers having brake shoes at their outer ends, and means for adjusting the pressure of said shoes on the brake rim which rim is fixed to the frame and surrounds the brake arms, all combined substantially as described.

4. In a fire escape, the winding drum, gears, and brake arms connected and relatively arranged substantially as described, the fixed brake rim, and the brake shoes mounted on spring levers, said'levers entering sockets in the brake arms, and set screws extending-from lugs on the arms and bearing against the spring levers to regulate the tension thereof, all combined substantially as described.

- SAMUEL R. BRIGGS. Witnesses:

L. M. FREEMAN,

L. B. COUPLAND. 

